Which of the following best describes the fundamental difference between catabolic and anabolic pathways in cellular metabolism?
- A) Catabolic pathways release energy by breaking down complex molecules into simpler compounds, whereas anabolic pathways consume energy to build complicated molecules from simpler ones.
- B) Catabolic pathways consume energy to synthesize macromolecules, whereas anabolic pathways release energy by hydrolyzing cellular polymers.
- C) Catabolic pathways occur exclusively in the cytoplasm and generate ATP directly, whereas anabolic pathways occur exclusively within mitochondria and consume GTP.
- D) Catabolic pathways are spontaneous reactions that proceed without enzymes, whereas anabolic pathways strictly require biological catalysts to occur.
